Lets be frank people, Nashville bbq is below average. If you know a really good bbq joint in Nashville, do let me know. So, after months of not having tasted bbq, a voice in me was asking for a simple nice slab of rib. What can be better than a nice rack of ribs. So Saturday morning, my wife and I drive to Memphis eat a bbq lunch. With so many joints to choose from, we decided central bbq. We ordered a full rack, half wet and half dry. Was I happy? Yes. Did I enjoy eating the ribs? Yes. Did I go crazy? No. The ribs are really good, especially the dry ribs here. The wet ribs were hmm just ok, not as wet as I would like. But more importantly, there was a smokiness, a charred flavor, a particular spice which was missing from what would make this a crazy rib. Don't get me wrong, it is good, but not as good as its reputation. For me, the best bbq so far is still Pappy's in St. louis. read more

THIS is the best barbecue in Memphis. Man oh man, I love this place. Their pulled pork sandwich is amaaaaaaaazing. Geez. I love their barbecue sauce. It's perfect. Tangy but not too much so, and not too spicy. If you don't like pork, they have basically every meat (including vegetarian options) in existence. I've also tried their pulled chicken and beef brisket, both awesome. Whatever you like, they make it. And it's delicious. Try to go during an off time, as the lines can get long and seating is limited. Just go there. read more

My clients from the University of Memphis took me here for lunch once they heard about my desire for some good BBQ. I was definitely not disappointed. The no-frills building, pleasant attitude, and the old-school Pepsi-logo-with-plastic-letters reassured me that I would be experiencing some good down-home chow. I had the half-rack of ribs (wet) with BBQ beans and slaw and a large sweet tea (other sides were available). The food came relatively fast and was DELICIOUS. The meat on my ribs practically fell off the bone, which is just how i like it. I also had no worries about spilling sauce on my business attire since each table has a full roll of paper towels. Vegetarians with carniverous friends, take heart! There's a portobello mushroom sandwich available just for you. One of my colleagues opted for this choice and was pleasantly satisfied. One thing to keep in mind: Parking and seating may not be plentiful during the lunch hour, so time your visit accordingly. On my next trip to Memphis, I'll definitely put Central BBQ on my list of places to chow down. read more

We got the pork nachos and brisket platter which were ok. Most concerning was the gentleman I observed in the food prep line who was rubbing his eye and then proceeded to sprinkle shredded cheese on someone's nachos with the same gloves on! I alerted the cashier to this who later whispered something in the guys ear but that really spoiled my appetite. I was totally grossed out by the place. Overall, not worth the long wait and frankly gross considering the workers are not hygienic when it comes to handling food. read more

Three meat and ribs. Don't waste your time on the sausage it's not that great, but the ribs are outstanding. A little pricey for three meets and a a side, it can cost you $32 for a half a slab of ribs, beef brisket, and some overcooked Polish sausage. Just stick to the basics and get the ribs because they are outstanding. read more

Central BBQ - Three meat and ribs. - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

BBQ is not my favorite food - I know - shocking. There's just other things I would rather eat. However our group of 4 decided on BBQ & Central BBQ is great. Great flavor, generous portions, and a nice relaxed atmosphere. The ribs were a big hit at our table. We ordered them dry with sauce on the side. They had 4 sauces to choose from. We also had the sausage & cheese platter. The sausage was juicy & had just the right about of spice. We also enjoyed an order or the house made chips served with a delicious bleu cheese dipping sauce. Overall a great experience. Give it a shot if you are in the area. read more

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I'll be honest, it ain't as good as Texas BBQ but it is still very very very good. My fiancé and I ordered the 3-meat entree for sharing (ribs, beef brisket, and pulled pork). The prices were great and the employees were very polite and work quickly and efficiently. It gets very busy around dinner time, so plan accordingly. read more

Central BBQ - Indoor seating. - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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It is hard to imagine that bbq gets any better than this. I lived in the Memphis area for two years so I was able to try them all. Every time I go back I stop here and fall off the vegetarian bandwagon just for their pulled pork or bbq nachos. Love the classic hole in the wall feel too. read more

I really wanted to give this place 5 stars, just by the hype surrounding the Central BBQ legend. What I found was an average BBQ joint with good sides. The Mac N Cheese and Potato Salad were above par and a solid 7/10. However, the main shows were very ordinary. Their Pulled Pork Sandwich was lacking everything I have heard about Memphis style BBQ. I'm still not entirely sure it was pulled pork. It could have been a poorly done brisket by the texture of the said "pork." The Sliced Turkey was as thin as packaged lunch meat, which was an immediate turn-off. The only flavor the turkey had was from the sauce. There was no smokey flavor within in the meat itself. On the positive side, along with the decent side orders, the porch atmosphere was quite nice. This experience confirms one thing... Texas BBQ remains supreme. read more

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Let's all own up because everyone is guilty here: pigs get a bad rap. That slightly overweight girl you used to see was called porky by your friends. She might also be a porker if they need a noun. Cops you don't like become pork-like, and so on...But all this is really unfair to pigs, because reports are that they make fine house pets in addition to excellent breakfast food cooked up in fatty strips. Fortunately, there are some places where pork gets its due, and Memphis is one. Opinions vary, but most piggy experts would put Memphis right up near the top as a BBQ mecca, alongside Little Rock and Kansas City. And you cannot talk BBQ without talking pork. You can keep your yardbird and your beef tips. To me, and to others I know, you spell barbeque P-O-R-K. One year the BBQ fest of Memphis used the slogan, "make pork, not war" for their 60s-era theme. You get the point, you got to have a plate of pork to call it BBQ in my presence. Otherwise, it is "grilled chicken with sauce"or "veal in spicy tomato paste", and many serve something called BBQ spaghetti, but none to me are BBQ if they don't begin and end with pork. So what's an outsider to do while yelping in Memphis? find some friends with similar taste in fine dining, line up three highly-regarded pig palaces for their pork plate, their ribs, and their coleslaw, then bullshit one another while all compare and contrast. Call it Pork-Palooza as my friend did, and you have a fine afternoon of pigging out and giving a level playing field to three popular BBQ troughs, Central BBQ, Interstate BBQ, and Corky's BBQ. Full disclosure: because it was Sunday our options were somewhat limited to those places that were open in order to assure freshness. (In one places case, sadly, that did not completely solve the issue). Although nothing was unanimous, there was consensus on two of three categories. Any tie-breaker was broken by me, of course, because hey, this is my review, and everyone is entitled to my opinion. Best Pork: I'm going Central here, with a close second nod to Corky's. I now know that there are 3 varieties of bulk piggy sold: pulled pork (which is generally larger than fork sized, which is fine in sandwiches but tough covered in sauce on a plate without a knife); and chopped pork that is pulled off the bone with tongs and then chopped to bite-sized morsels, and sliced pork. Central goes chopped, Corky's the slightly more unwieldy -- but more moist -- pulled. Both were divine. I could eat either several times per week without complaint, Central's slightly smokier, and well, ok, whatever, just slightly better. Interstate was a distant 3rd on pork, and while the flavor was there, it seemed to have spent more time under the heat lamp than had the other two. Best Ribs: Corky's, hands down, the dry-rubbed pork ribs were incredibly tender and the seasonings could not be beat. Although I was inclined to go old-school (I mean really: ribs without sauce-mess?) I grudgingly agree with my friends that these were best. There was one hold out that could no more see and enjoy baby-backs without sauce than I could BBQ without pork. Its a good point, and one I would have agreed with before eating. But the taste test does not lie; Corky's ribs rock and you can always sauce upon serving. Interstate's ribs were notable for one thing: they were barely edible they were so dry and tough. No amount of their excellent spicy sauce made up for just plain poor ribs. Best Coleslaw: Interstate. Perhaps because freshness is not as crucial here but flavor is king, Interstate's coleslaw takes first prize. Mustard-y and peppery, this is not a mild slaw for the faint of heart, this is a yellow-looking flavorful forkful. If mild and milky is your thing, you will best like Corky's. But lets face it, when at Pork Palooza taking the blue ribbon for coleslaw is a little like commenting on Kennedy's otherwise peaceful ride through Dallas. So deciding on where to pig out in Memphis when you don't live there and cannot get to them all, make a special point of getting to Central. Why? Because Corky;s can come to you. Much of their menu is available at local area Kroger's food stores and can travel. Indeed, after travelling though security on my way home I could have eaten at the Memphis Airport branch Corky's also. No such luck with the less chain-like Central. There is one location, and everyone seems to know each other there, which is a tell; rarely will locals with educated pork palates go back repeatedly unless it is very good. And it is! Opposing points of view are often welcomed, and always ignored. Miami Beach Porker read more

The ribs were probably the best ribs I've ever had. The brisket was a little dry and tough for my liking. Maybe it was just an off day. The sweet tea should be pumped straight into my vein. Haha. read more

Central BBQ - Rib combo plate with double brisket, onion rings and pork grinds. - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Naming Central BBQ's pulled pork sandwich the best in Memphis is puzzling. I could name at least a half dozen places that beat out Central's flat flavored pulled pork by a dozen country miles. The pulled pork was extremely dry, pasty, and virtually tasteless. In short it was just plain awful. Unbelievably, the beans were even more unsavory and ended up in the garbage after two bites. The only way I was able to choke down some of the insipid pork was a good dose of Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce, and even that fix failed and a good one half of sandwich joined the beans in its rightful place-the garbage can. Naming that wretched mess the best in Memphis is like calling the Mississippi River a brook. What a terrible waste of my money. read more

I have been to Central BBQ many times over the last couple of years and they have become my go to place for barbecue. As many places as I've tried in Memphis, Central BBQ has the best ribs and nachos I've ever had. The ribs are so tender that they literally fall off the bone and the nachos were so very tasty. Their barbecue sauce helps make their barbecue the best in Memphis. It's sweet and slightly tangy with a kick. The staff is very quick and efficient. The line at the Central Ave location can easily go out the door since the restaurant is not too big. Their Summer location is much larger and probably better for groups. I typically call in orders to go and they always have had them ready on time and piping hot. I would recommend this restaurant without reservation to anyone, especially those visiting Memphis. read more

Central BBQ is solid and consistent. It's not as good as a more divey place, but I strongly advocate for their jerk wings. They aren't actually jerk (Carribeans have to be offended) but the jerk blend is actually a really good one. Also try to BBQ Nachos -- add jalapeños. read more

WORST RUN ESTABLISHMENT IVE EVER BEEN TO. The place is dirty and dinner for two will take about an hour and half to get your food when it's not busy! Need to order your dinner around lunch time if you plan on eating here. read more

Food was good...coleslaw sucked.... paid for BBQ chixke at 400 in the afternoon out of chicken really??? Manager was a jerk. ...got food poisoning.... bad read more

My friends and I came into town to visit and we decided that we needed some good Memphis BBQ. Well this place most certainly did not disappoint. It was mouth watering good, and being a native of Atlanta, I know good food. I ate the half chicken with mac and cheese and green beans. The mac and cheese was good and creamy! The chicken was amazingly seasoned! Green beans were your typical for restaurant quality. The sauce tho! It was a hit and made my chicken just right! An added plus was that the service was great! They took time to answer our questions since it was our first time and gave good recommendations. They also bought out our food promptly and every person that served us had a cheerful smile! Definitely a must try! read more

Five star BBQ, two star employees. Really good smoked meats with lots of choices of sauces. Pulled pork and thinly sliced turkey breast we're both really good. Decent side selection. The employees just aren't friendly sadly. read more

BBQ itself is 5 stars. Service is two. It's usually decent but I got severe attitude on this visit. You walk in, order your food at the counter, they give you a number, drinks are self serve, you take your number to the table and they bring your food to you based on your number...ideally. I always order the pulled pork sandwich which is one of the best. It really is absolutely delicious here. Pork is perfect, slaw is great, and the bbq sauce is not over powering. I always order the mac and cheese and then always remember that it is not good...I'd give that a miss. As for service on this particular visit, I was on the phone with a client of mine and the girl bringing food to the tables came up to mine and our conversation went something like this...keeping in mind, I had a giant number 56 on my table: girl: 56? me: yes, here's my number girl: what did you have? me: uh, pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese girl: pork and fries me: no, pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese girl: pork and fries me: no, pulled pork sandwich and mac and cheese girl: I don't know what you ordered me: you're literally holding my number and my food in your hand, what is the point of this. I feel she was clearly busting my balls and quite frankly it pisses me off since the restaurant is fast casual and if I'm dining alone and my only interaction with anyone in the establishment is someone who literally drops my food off at my table, I shouldn't get attitude for being on the phone. Or attitude period for whatever reason she was dishing it out that day. Also, what is the point of a number system if employees aren't capable of matching numbers to food orders. Although she seemed to have no issues with the surrounding tables. Space is cramped, so I would avoid coming at the peak lunch hour as you'll wait in line forever and good luck to you getting an actual table. Restrooms are in the back and TINY. You have to maneuver around a lot of bodies trying to maneuver around a lot of other bodies trying to maneuver around cramped tables to get to the drinks. It's TIGHT. There's a larger location a few miles away. It's less touristy, a lot bigger, and the experience has always been more pleasant. Whichever location you choose, the bbq here is some of Memphis' best. read more

Seriously the best in town. Central was the first restaurant I wanted to visit when I'm came home to Memphis. Been in LA for 12yrs and can't find decent bbq anywhere read more

Central BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Just left that place and Feel compelled to write this review immediately. I wouldn't want you to miss this place if you're in the area, it's that good! Came here on a recommendation from a local, she said it was the best and she was right! Ordered the slab for 2, which comes with 4 sides. Ordered the greens, potato salad, pork rinds and beans. The greens were just ok, potato salad was very good, the pork rinds were very good but a little too salty, the beans were great with just the right amount of sweet & spicy. Now for the reason I'm writing this review, the main attraction, the ribs! I ordered the rack half dry, half wet. The sauce was great, but the dry rub was awesome! The dry rub ribs were the best I've ever had, ever! I wish my stomach was bigger lol! I think you get the point. GO HERE! read more

A haiku review: Order full rack dry Slaw and beans are all star sides Tasty tamales read more

The bbq was a bit dry. They could remember to give forks with order. The chocolate layer cake was blah no real flavor. The peanut butter pie was nothing special. No real flavor. The cost was reasonable but I'm not impressed. read more

Central BBQ - Half order BBQ nachos - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

I got the chicken and my husband had the pulled pork sandwich. We lived in Texas for a long time and I grew up in Virginia on a cattle farm, so I know the different types of barbecue, this is some of the best I've had. We bought some sauce to go and can't wait to use it when we get back home! Great find! read more

My lunch companion and I visited here under the recommendation of Jennifer Biggs' 100 things to eat. We'd both had Central before, but not the item mentioned. The off-menu item suggested is the BBQ nachos with house made chips. Having had the BBQ nachos before, I wasn't sure how this was going to change them. It does. The house made chips are thick cut potato chips fried to nice, crispy brown. They're pretty good. A full order was full on retarded big. Even both of our fat asses (we're not that fat) had trouble eating them. It's a giant help a chips covered with nacho cheese, a stingy sprinkling of pulled pork, some shredded cheddar, bbq sauce and dry rub. The nacho cheese almost ruins it. Almost. It's pretty dam good. Central servers 4 sauces, and all 4 are mediocre. The hot sauce is the best, and it's not that hot. Over all, a decent bbq place, but Memphis has MUCH better to offer. Your BBQ Bunkmate, Colin read more

I love me some good BBQ. However, I am partial to my husband's ribs, so I rarely get them when I go out. But after living here for four years, it's about time I tried Central. The restaurant itself is a cool place. It's laid-back and the people who work there are very friendly. I ordered a half rack of ribs and did the half and half style. The ribs were good, but I preferred the wet half to my dry half. They were just a little on the dry side, which was a bit of a let down. I had Mac & cheese and slaw for my sides... The slaw was good, peppery and not drowned in mayo. The mac and cheese was okay, but nothing special. I plan on going back to Central BBQ to try the nachos. Also, their smoked sausage was pretty good. (I stole a bite from my husband). I hope to up the star rating, but what I ate was just okay. read more

It's really interesting reading these reviews as a Memphian. I don't live in the city anymore, but I eat BBQ every time I come home. I have some spots I love, and others I like. Central is in my like category. I came to Central BBQ later in life. Anyone that knows the "Midtown is Memphis" crowd knows this is the BBQ spot De Jour of the neighborhood. You order from a window and wait, your food may not be that hot when you get it, it's super local, and the mac and cheese is awesome. It's not my favorite place in the Mempho, but it beats many. What I don't like is tourists going to Corky's or Rendezvous and thinking those are superior BBQ spots. That's where the food network sends tourists I guess to let the locals eat in peace. I'll go ahead and say if those places are your favorite, Memphis may not be YOUR city for BBQ. read more

Great meats, great sides. Pulled pork was great, sausage was good and the brisket was okay. I've spent a lot of time in Texas so I'm spoiled. Mac and cheese was super and pork rinds were super solid. Attentive, friendly service. read more

Central BBQ - Three meat plate - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

Here to pick up order to go. There are 8 people walking around with frowns on their face just hanging out among themseves while I'm standing here waiting on my beer. I got the beer probably 2 minutes before they handed me my order to go so I didn't even really get to enjoy it because I wanted to get home before my food got cold. Service was horrible and one person said thank you. Very disappointed. read more

Oh my gosh! How have I not gotten to writing a review for Central BBQ yet!?! Well, here we go. Hands down better than Tops, better than Interstate, better than Corky's, better than all BBQ places in Memphis. Amen! I dare you to debate me on this. I just dare you. I love their patio and pricing. You can't get as good of quality stuff outside of here. Usually when ordering from here, I get the bbq sandwich with beans. The seasonings are very flavorful that add a little zing to it too. Love you, CBBQ~ read more

Line out the door & around the sidewalk... who cares? Not me. I'll happily wait. Went for the 1000th time last night and waited prooooobably 15 minutes in line before ordering. All the employees were happy (which can be hard when it's busy, I've been there!) I got the jerked wings for the first time instead of the usual pulled pork nachos, and LOVED them. They have a kind of dry rub on them.. so good. Pair those wings (and housemade chips) with a Ghost River and you have got my personal heaven. read more

When it comes to BBQ, I'm a big ribs guy. I love to find a place with great ribs. I was told this place was stellar. I like mine on the "moist" side.... in other words, not lean, and tasting like someone added liquid smoke with a slight hint of boiling. Anyway, when I'm in new territory, I tend to walk around and look to see how things look. Not one of the 15 people in the place had BBQ. They had everything but....hmmmm slight red flag. Maybe they were just tired of great BBQ. I asked one of the guys walking around about the ribs, and he ran to the back and proudly brought out this charred very black thing of bones in a line.....I assume a rack of ribs. Black? really, like totally burned? Hmmmm.... think I'll pass on the ribs. I decided to go with a chopped beef sandwich and some pulled pork. The pulled pork is one of the, if not the best I've had. I highly recommend. The chopped brisket was more like dried hamburger meat. Very disappointed. All in all, I would return for the pork, but not if there's a line. They weren't very friendly at the register, but the guys taking care of the tables were. read more

Best bbq I've ever had to eat. Was on a work trip and tried it on a chance and I am glad we did. Food was great and so was the service. read more

Central BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

This is fantastic barbecue. We made a special stop on our way across the country to get some BBQ in Memphis and it was well worth it. I got a half slab of ribs (half wet, half dry) and it was incredibly tender and fantastic pork. I'm glad I got it half and half to get variety, but the sauce was not necessary. The dry half let the flavor of the meat speak for itself. Wifey got the pulled pork sandwich, which she said was really good too. We're used to Eastern Carolina BBQ so it was a bit different but every bit as good. As for the sides, we opted for the housemade potato chips and the potato salad (apparently we couldn't get enough potato). The potato salad was fine but nothing special, but the chips were great. They were absolutely loaded with seasoning but I didn't mind because it seemed like we were overdoing things at that meal anyway. But be forewarned that the chips come with loads of salt and seasoning. read more

We were traveling through Memphis last week and decided to try this place out. I was disappointed with our selections. I ordered a three meat plate. I got the pulled pork, brisket and sausage. The pulled pork had no flavor and was bone dry. It was hard to eat without drowning it in BBQ sauce. The brisket was chewy and also was lacking on flavor as well. The sausage on the other hand was very good. The flavor was spot on. My son got the ribs. He ordered half dry and half wet. They were what I would consider average. Both my son and I had he coleslaw and fries. The sides were good but not stand outs. My boyfriend got the pulled pork sandwich and he agreed that the meat was bone dry. I don't think I would retry this place when we drive through again. read more

I'm from out of town (San Francisco originally), so I'm sure my opinions on BBQ aren't entirely to be trusted... That being said, I had the pulled pork sandwich and really enjoyed it. The sauce was lovely, the coleslaw on the sandwich good. I got a side of mac n cheese that was pretty tasteless, though. I also ate at Rendezvous, and preferred Central by far. While we ate, we saw several plates of BBQ nachos go by. They looked really good... If I ever return to Memphis, I'm going for the nachos. read more

Enjoyable and tasty BBQ! A big push for tourist is that the National Civil Rights Museum (The Lorraine Hotel) is directly across the street. A nice spot to stop in for lunch. read more

Central BBQ - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

You absolutely can't go to Memphis Tennessee and Not have some of that great Memphis BBQ! This is the original location that spawned more of this brand. Because of that, this location is very very small and the seating is extremely cramped. However the food makes up for this quite a bit. The staff seemed friendly despite the lunch rush, as I got there shortly after they opened for the day. The food is messy, but very delicious. Be sure to use plenty of napkins! I had their bbq nachos and I was surprised at how much food it was considering it was fairly cheap in price. The flavors were amazing. Next time I have leisure in this area, I plan to come back here for more. read more

I know this is a BBQ place but I had the best dry rub hot wings here I've ever had in my life. I don't live in Tennessee but would consider stopping by just to get some wings. Great patio too! read more

Central BBQ - Ribs, half wet half dry, with mac and cheese and slaw. - Barbeque Near Me - Memphis, Tennessee

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I don't actually like barbecue and can't be easily swayed. Upon entering I was a little confused (there's a to-go window by the door and I thought maybe you order there) but you just order at the counter inside and they bring your food out of the kitchen and announce your ticket number. The service was excellent...I ordered a pulled chicken sandwich which comes with slaw. I don't like slaw so I asked if I could sub with chips. They said the slaw is actually part of the sandwich, not a side, but they threw in the chips for free anyway (it's hard to deny food to a giant preggo lady). Husband loves BBQ and wasn't disappointed. He says good portion size, the pulled pork was very tender and the sauces were very good. Having to take away a star because the fries weren't so great, almost a little stale. read more